IvyNotes

October 30, 2022

A Note from the Director

Dear families,

We are thankful for our Ivymount Community of students, families, staff, and partners, all of us working together to create achievements, opportunities and special moments.

See below for a glimpse at one of our jobsite partners - American Reprographics, Inc. - as we wrap up National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). We appreciate the many businesses and organizations who have partnered with Ivymount School over the years to provide job training opportunities where our students learn and shine. Reach out to learn how your workplace could get involved.

Scroll down to see some fun moments that students and staff created as they began celebrating Halloween last week, and make sure to check out photos of the PTA's fabulous Movement and Movie night, held on Saturday. Excellent weather, great music, and lots of enthusiastic families made for a wonderful event. Thank you to the PTA and to the many families who attended.

Sincerely,

Susan Holt

NEWS YOU NEED RIGHT NOW!

Ivymount School

Dates to Remember

Tuesday, November 8

Professional Day

Thursday, November 10

Project SEARCH Information Session

Friday, November 11

OSSE Not Transporting DC Students

Thank You to Our Community Jobsite Partners

We're wrapping up National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), but there's still plenty of time left to say thank you to our outstanding community partners who provide jobsite opportunities for Post High School - School to Work students to develop and practice vocational skills in a hands-on internship setting.

Students visit sites like American Reprographics, Inc., in Rockville, pictured here, and are able to work with company supervisors and Ivymount job coaches to learn how to complete tasks such as building and mailing UPS packages, scanning print orders, and processing payments. Thank you, to the partners who make this experience possible for students and create inclusive workspaces!

“The interpersonal relationships here changed when the Ivymount students started coming in here...when there’s someone coming in here so eager to be at work and so happy to say hello to you. It totally changed the whole vibe in the shop. It completely changed everything.”

Ken Karbeling, General Manager

American Reprographics

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

This week, all Ivymount classrooms were invited to participate in a pumpkin decorating contest organized by the Student Government Association. Each classroom decorated pumpkins together, selecting a category: Scariest, Funniest, or Most Creative. Afterward, staff and students voted on their favorite entries in each category for a chance to win a pizza party! Congratulations to the winners below!

Scariest: Room 207 - Zombie Pumpkin

Funniest: Room 234 - Chicken Thing Pumpkin

Most Creative: Room 236 - Snow White and the Seven Pumpkin Dwarves

Overall Winner: Room 240 Minecraft Creeper Pumpkin

High School Halloween Fun

High School and School to Work students had a blast celebrating Halloween in their creative costumes. All our upper school programs combined to enjoy spooky snacks, sweet treats, music, dancing, puzzles, and games. Thank you to program staff and leadership who worked so hard to provide a fantastic opportunity for fun and friendship for students!

PTA NEWS AND UPDATES

Parent and Caregiver Hangout

Wednesday, Nov 2

9:15 am - 10:30 am

Corner Bakery (across from Westfield Montgomery Mall)

Are you interested in getting to know other Ivymount School parents and caregivers? Looking for advice, tips, or a friendly ear from others who understand? The PTA hangouts are a great opportunity to form new connections. Join us!

Movement & Movie Event Highlights

The PTA held our Movement and Movie event on Saturday night, featuring ZamDance and the animated film, The Rise of Gru. Many Ivymount students came out with their whole families on what was a wonderfully sunny day that transitioned into a beautiful evening to enjoy some outdoor exercise and Latin tunes plus a movie together.

Our thanks to the parents who volunteered to help set up, run the snack table, and clean up at the end of the evening. Also thank you to Ivymount staff for the audio visual equipment, as well as chairs and tables that made the event comfortable for everyone. It was a real team effort and a fun event!